Adapter assemblies for interconnecting surgical loading units and handle assemblies

ABSTRACT

An adapter assembly includes an elongated body, a circuit assembly, and an annular member. The elongated body includes a proximal portion configured to couple to a handle assembly, and a distal portion configured to couple to a surgical loading unit. The circuit assembly is disposed within the distal portion of the elongated body and configured to be in communication with a handle assembly. The annular member is rotatably disposed within the distal portion of the elongated body and includes an electrical contact. The annular member is rotatable between a first orientation, in which the electrical contact of the annular member is electrically isolated from the circuit assembly, and a second orientation, in which the electrical contact of the annular member is electrically connected to the circuit assembly.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation Application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/378,859, filed on Dec. 14, 2016, which claimsthe benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.62/275,820 filed Jan. 7, 2016, the entire disclosure of each of which isincorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND 1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to adapter assemblies for use with anelectromechanical surgical system and their methods of use. Morespecifically, the present disclosure relates to electromechanicalsurgical instruments configured to determine whether a loading unit isproperly connected to an adapter assembly.

2. Background of Related Art

Linear clamping, cutting, and stapling surgical devices may be employedin surgical procedures to resect tissue. Conventional linear clamping,cutting, and stapling devices include a handle assembly, an adapterassembly extending from the handle assembly, and a surgical loading unitdetachably coupled to the adapter assembly. The surgical loading unitincludes a pair of opposing gripping jaw members, which clamp about thetissue. In this device, one or both of the two gripping members, such asthe anvil portion, moves or pivots relative to the overall structure.The actuation of the surgical device may be controlled by a grip triggermaintained in the handle assembly.

In addition to the gripping members, the surgical loading unit may alsoinclude a stapling mechanism. One of the gripping members of thesurgical loading unit includes a staple cartridge receiving region and amechanism for driving the staples up through the clamped end of thetissue against the anvil portion, thereby sealing the previously openedend. The gripping members may be integrally formed with the adapterassembly or may be detachable such that various gripping and staplingelements may be interchangeable.

A need exists for various types of adapter assemblies capable ofdetermining whether a surgical loading unit is properly connectedthereto.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure relates to adapter assemblies for interconnectinghandle assemblies and surgical loading units. The present disclosurealso relates to electromechanical features for communicating to a handleassembly that a surgical loading unit is properly connected to anadapter assembly.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, an adapter assembly isprovided. The adapter assembly includes an elongated body, a circuitassembly, and an annular member. The elongated body includes a proximalportion configured to couple to a handle assembly, and a distal portionconfigured to couple to a surgical loading unit. The circuit assembly isdisposed within the distal portion of the elongated body and configuredto be in communication with a handle assembly. The annular member isrotatably disposed within the distal portion of the elongated body andincludes an electrical contact. The annular member is rotatable betweena first orientation and a second orientation. In the first orientation,the electrical contact of the annular member is electrically isolatedfrom the circuit assembly. In the second orientation, the electricalcontact of the annular member is electrically connected to the circuitassembly.

In some embodiments, the annular member may include a surface featureconfigured to interface with a surgical loading unit, such that theannular member is rotatable by a surgical loading unit.

It is contemplated that the electrical contact may be gold plated orother suitable biocompatible electrically conductive materials may beused. The circuit assembly may include a trace etched into a portion ofthe elongated body. The portion of the elongated body may be fabricatedfrom PEEK or other suitable biocompatible may be used.

It is envisioned that the adapter assembly may include a locking linkdisposed within the distal portion of the elongated body. The lockinglink may be resiliently biased toward a locking configuration to securea surgical loading unit to a distal portion of the elongated body. Adistal end of the locking link may include an extension configured forlocking engagement with a lug of a surgical loading unit upon insertionand rotation of a surgical loading unit into the elongated body.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, a surgical instrument isprovided. The surgical instrument includes a handle assembly including aprocessor, a surgical loading unit having an end effector disposed at adistal end thereof, and an adapter assembly. The adapter assemblyincludes an elongated body, a circuit assembly, and an annular member.The elongated body includes a proximal portion configured to couple tothe handle assembly, and a distal portion configured to couple to aproximal end of the surgical loading unit. The circuit assembly isdisposed within the distal portion of the elongated body and configuredto be in communication with the processor of the handle assembly. Theannular member is rotatably disposed within the distal portion of theelongated body and includes an electrical contact. Upon coupling theproximal end of the surgical loading unit to the distal portion of theelongate body of the adapter assembly, rotation of the surgical loadingunit rotates the annular member from a first orientation to a secondorientation. In the first orientation, the electrical contact of theannular member is electrically isolated from the circuit assembly. Inthe second orientation, the electrical contact of the annular member iselectrically connected to the circuit assembly such that the circuitassembly communicates to the processor that the surgical loading unit iscoupled to the adapter assembly.

In some embodiments, the annular member may include a surface featureconfigured to interface with the surgical loading unit, such that theannular member is rotatable by the surgical loading unit when thesurgical loading unit is connected to the surface feature of the annularmember. It is contemplated that the surgical loading unit may include alug disposed at a proximal end thereof. The lug may be configured fordetachable engagement with the surface feature of the annular member.

It is contemplated that the surgical loading unit may further include amemory configured to store a parameter relating to the surgical loadingunit. The memory is configured to communicate to the processor of thehandle assembly a presence of the surgical loading unit and theparameter of the surgical loading unit upon engagement of the surgicalloading unit with the adapter assembly.

Further details and aspects of exemplary embodiments of the presentdisclosure are described in more detail below with reference to theappended figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the present disclosure are described herein withreference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of components of a hand-held,electromechanical surgical instrument, in accordance with an embodimentof the present disclosure;

FIG. 1B is a perspective view of an embodiment of an adapter assembly ofthe surgical instrument of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 1C is a side view of a surgical loading unit of the surgicalinstrument of FIG. 1A, including an end effector;

FIG. 2 is a transparent perspective view of an elongated body of theadapter assembly of FIG. 1B, including an annular member electricallyconnected to a circuit assembly of the elongated body;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the annular member of the adapterassembly of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of a distal portion of theelongated body of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5A is an enlarged perspective view of the distal portion of theelongated body of FIG. 2 engaged with the loading unit of FIG. 1C,illustrating the annular member in a first orientation; and

FIG. 5B is an enlarged perspective view of the distal portion of theelongated body of FIG. 2 engaged with the loading unit of FIG. 1C,illustrating the annular member in a second orientation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As used herein, the terms parallel and perpendicular are understood toinclude relative configurations that are substantially parallel andsubstantially perpendicular up to about + or −10 degrees from trueparallel and true perpendicular.

Embodiments of the presently disclosed surgical instruments includinghandle assemblies, adapter assemblies, and surgical loading unitsthereof, are described in detail with reference to the drawings, inwhich like reference numerals designate identical or correspondingelements in each of the several views. As used herein, the term “distal”refers to that portion of the surgical instrument, adapter assembly,handle assembly, loading unit, or component thereof, farther from theuser, while the term “proximal” refers to that portion of the surgicalinstrument, adapter assembly, handle assembly, loading unit or componentthereof, closer to the user.

The present disclosure provides a surgical instrument that includes ahandle assembly, a surgical loading unit, and an adapter assembly thatinterconnects the surgical loading unit with the handle assembly. Theadapter assembly includes an electromechanical feature that communicatesto the handle assembly or to a clinician whether a surgical loading unitis properly connected to the adapter assembly.

With reference to FIGS. 1A-C, a surgical instrument 10, in accordancewith an embodiment of the present disclosure, is shown as a powered,hand-held, electromechanical surgical instrument. Surgical instrument 10includes a handle assembly 100 configured for selective attachmentthereto with any one of a number of adapter assemblies 200, and, inturn, each unique adapter assembly 200 is configured for selectiveconnection with any number of surgical loading units 300. Loading unit300 and adapter assembly 200 are configured for actuation andmanipulation by handle assembly 100.

Reference may be made to International Publication No. WO 2009/039506and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2011/0121049, the entirecontents of all of which are incorporated herein by reference, for adetailed description of the construction and operation of an exemplaryelectromechanical, hand-held, powered surgical instrument.

Loading unit 300 of surgical instrument 10 has a proximal portion 302 aconfigured for engagement with a distal end 206 b of an elongated body204 of adapter assembly 200. Loading unit 300 includes a distal portion302 b having end effector 304 extending therefrom. End effector 304 ispivotally attached to distal portion 302 b. End effector 304 includes ananvil assembly 306 and a cartridge assembly 308. Cartridge assembly 308is pivotable in relation to anvil assembly 306 and is movable between anopen or unclamped position and a closed or clamped position forinsertion through a cannula of a trocar.

Reference may be made to U.S. Pat. No. 7,819,896, filed on Aug. 31,2009, entitled “TOOL ASSEMBLY FOR A SURGICAL STAPLING DEVICE”, theentire content of which is incorporated herein by reference, for adetailed discussion of the construction and operation of an exemplaryend effector.

Handle assembly 100 includes one or more controllers (not shown), apower source (not shown), a processor 104, and a drive mechanism havingone or more motors 106, gear selector boxes (not shown), gearingmechanisms (not shown), and the like. Processor 104 is configured tocontrol motors 106 and to detect a presence of a loading unit, forexample, loading unit 300, and/or determine one or more parameters ofloading unit 300. Handle assembly 100 further includes a controlassembly 108. Control assembly 108 may include one or morefinger-actuated control buttons, rocker devices, joystick or othercontrols, whose input is transferred to the drive mechanism to actuateadapter assembly 200 and loading unit 300.

In particular, the drive mechanism of handle assembly 100 is configuredto actuate drive shafts, gear components, and/or other mechanicallinkages in order to selectively move an end effector 304 of loadingunit 300 to rotate end effector 304 about a longitudinal axis “X”defined by surgical instrument 10 relative to handle assembly 100, tomove a cartridge assembly 308 relative to an anvil assembly 306 of endeffector 304, and/or to fire a stapling and cutting cartridge withincartridge assembly 308 of end effector 304.

Handle assembly 100 defines a nose or connecting portion 110 configuredto accept a corresponding drive coupling assembly 210 of adapterassembly 200. Connecting portion 110 of handle assembly 100 has acylindrical recess (not shown) that receives drive coupling assembly 210of adapter assembly 200 when adapter assembly 200 is mated to handleassembly 100. Connecting portion 110 houses one or more rotatable driveconnectors (not shown) that interface with corresponding rotatableconnector sleeves of adapter assembly 200.

When adapter assembly 200 is mated to handle assembly 100, each of therotatable drive connectors (not shown) of handle assembly 100 coupleswith a corresponding rotatable connector sleeve of adapter assembly 200.In this regard, the interface between a plurality of connectors ofhandle assembly 100 and a plurality of corresponding connector sleevesof adapter assembly 200 are keyed such that rotation of each of thedrive connectors of handle assembly 100 causes rotation of thecorresponding connector sleeves of adapter assembly 200.

The mating of the drive connectors of handle assembly 100 with theconnector sleeves of adapter assembly 200 allows rotational forces to beindependently transmitted via each of the three respective connectorinterfaces. The drive connectors of handle assembly 100 are configuredto be independently rotated by the drive mechanism of handle assembly100.

Since each of the drive connectors of handle assembly 100 has a keyedand/or substantially non-rotatable interface with the respectiveconnector sleeves of adapter assembly 200, when adapter assembly 200 iscoupled to handle assembly 100, rotational force(s) are selectivelytransferred from the drive mechanism of handle assembly 100 to adapterassembly 200.

The selective rotation of drive connector(s) of handle assembly 100allows surgical instrument 10 to selectively actuate different functionsof end effector 304. Selective and independent rotation of a first driveconnector of handle assembly 100 corresponds to the selective andindependent opening and closing of end effector 304, and driving of astapling/cutting component of end effector 304. Selective andindependent rotation of a second drive connector of handle assembly 100corresponds to the selective and independent articulation of endeffector 304 about an articulation axis that is transverse tolongitudinal axis “X.” In particular, end effector 304 defines a secondor respective longitudinal axis and is movable from a first position inwhich the second or respective longitudinal axis is substantiallyaligned with longitudinal axis “X” to at least a second position inwhich the second longitudinal axis is disposed at a non-zero angle withrespect to longitudinal axis “X.” Additionally, the selective andindependent rotation of a third drive connector of handle assembly 100corresponds to the selective and independent rotation of loading unit300 about longitudinal axis “X” relative to handle assembly 100 ofsurgical instrument 10.

With continued reference to FIGS. 1A-1C, adapter assembly 200 includes aknob housing 202 and an elongated body 204 extending from a distal endof knob housing 202. Knob housing 202 and elongated body 204 areconfigured and dimensioned to house the components of adapter assembly200. Elongated body 204 may be dimensioned for endoscopic insertion. Inembodiments, elongated body 204 may be passable through a typical trocarport, cannula or the like. Knob housing 202 may be dimensioned to notenter the trocar port, cannula of the like. Elongated body 204 has aproximal portion 206 a attached to knob housing 202, which is configuredto be attached to handle assembly 100. Elongated body 204 also includesa distal portion 206 b configured to be coupled to proximal portion 302a of loading unit 300. Elongated body 204 further includes a distal cap208 extending distally from distal portion 206 b. Elongated body 204additionally includes a cylindrical outer housing 212 and a cylindricalinner housing 214 (FIG. 2) disposed therein.

With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, adapter assembly 200 further includes acircuit assembly 220 and an annular member 260, each being disposedwithin elongated body 204 of adapter assembly 200. Circuit assembly 220and annular member 260 electrically connect to or disconnect from oneanother in response to surgical loading unit 300 being connected to ordisconnected from adapter assembly 200, respectively, as will bedescribed below. Circuit assembly 220 is disposed within distal portion206 b of elongated body 204 and includes a printed circuit board (“PCB”)222 and an electric lead 224. PCB 222 may be a flex circuit that extendsfrom distal portion 206 b of elongated body 204 to processor 104 ofhandle assembly 100. Lead 224 of circuit assembly 220 includes aproximal end 224 a connected to a rigid portion 222 a of PCB 222, and adistal end 224 b configured to detachably electrically connect toannular member 260.

Lead 224 may be a conductive trace etched into a portion of an internalsurface 227 of elongated body 204. Lead 224 establishes an electricpathway between PCB 222 and annular member 260 when surgical loadingunit 300 is properly connected with adapter assembly 200. Uponestablishing the electrical connection between PCB 222 and annularmember 260, PCB 222 communicates to processor 104 of handle assembly 100that loading unit 300 is properly secured or connected to adapterassembly 200. PCB 222 communicates to processor 104 of handle assembly100 that loading unit 300 is disengaged from distal portion 206 b ofelongated body 204 in response to the determination of there being noelectrical connection present between PCB 222 and annular member 260. Inembodiments, lead 224 may be an electric wire or any other suitableconductive path. It is contemplated that internal surface 227 ofelongated body 204 having trace 224 etched therein may be fabricatedfrom polyetheretherketone (“PEEK”) or any other suitable material.

With continued reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, annular member 260 of adapterassembly 200 is rotatably disposed within distal portion 206 b ofelongated body 204 and functions to electromechanically communicate toprocessor 104 of handle assembly 100 whether surgical loading unit 300is properly connected to adapter assembly 200. Annular member 260extends from a proximal end 262 a to a distal end 262 b and defines acylindrical passageway 264 therethrough configured for disposal ofproximal end 302 a (FIG. 1C) of loading unit 300. Proximal end 262 a ofannular member 260 includes a proximal ring 270 a and distal end 262 bincludes a distal ring 270 b, spaced from first ring 270 a along alongitudinal bar 266 of annular member 260.

Annular member 266 includes an electrical contact 272 supported onlongitudinal bar 266. Electrical contact 272 selectively engages distalend 224 b of lead 224 of circuit assembly 220 depending on the radialorientation of annular member 260 within elongated body 204 of adapterassembly 200. Once established, the connection between electricalcontact 272 of annular member 260 and distal end 224 b of lead 224 ofcircuit assembly 220 allows for communication between loading unit 300and processor 104 of handle assembly 100. In particular, thecommunication may include a status identifier that loading unit 300 islockingly engaged to adapter assembly 200. Electrical contact 272 ofannular member 260 may be gold plated. In embodiments, electricalcontact 272 may be fabricated from any suitable metal or conductor. Itis contemplated that a portion or portions of annular member 260 may bering-shaped or that all of annular member 260 may be ring-shaped.

Annular member 260 is rotatable between a first orientation and a secondorientation. In the first orientation, electrical contact 272 of annularmember 260 is electrically isolated (i.e., not electrically connected)from distal end 224 b of lead 224 of circuit assembly 220. When annularmember 260 is in the second orientation, as shown in FIG. 2, electricalcontact 272 of annular member 260 is electrically connected with distalend 224 b of lead 224.

With specific reference to FIG. 3, annular member 260 also includes asurface feature or tab 276. Tab 276 of annular member 260 is configuredto interface with a surface feature or lug 303 (FIG. 1C) of loading unit300, such that annular member 260 is rotatable by and with loading unit300 when loading unit 300 is engaged to annular member 260 of adapterassembly 200. Specifically, surface feature 276 defines a cavity 278therein having a squared configuration configured for mating engagementwith correspondingly shaped lug 303 of loading unit 300. In embodiments,cavity 278 may have a variety of cross-sections, such as, for example,triangular, rectangular, circular, variable, tapered, and/or polygonal.Cavity 278 is shaped and dimensioned to engage lug 303 (FIG. 1C) ofloading unit 300 upon insertion of loading unit 300 into distal portion206 b of elongated body 204 of adapter assembly 200, such that annularmember 260 is rotatable with and by loading unit 300. Cavity 278 is alsoconfigured to capture a distal end 282 (FIG. 4) of a locking link 280 ofadapter assembly 200 that resists and/or prevents inadvertent rotationof annular member 260 within elongated body 204 when loading unit 300 isnot engaged to adapter assembly 200.

With reference to FIG. 4, locking link 280 of adapter assembly isdisposed within distal portion 206 b of elongated body 204 of adapterassembly 200. Locking link 280 is slidingly disposed within or alonginner housing 214 of adapter assembly 200 and is resiliently biasedtoward a locking configuration or distal position, as shown in FIG. 5B.In the locking configuration or distal position, a distal end orextension 282 of locking link 280 is engaged with distal cap 208 ofadapter assembly 200. Extension 282 of locking link 280 is configuredfor locking engagement with lug 303 (FIG. 1C) of loading unit 300 uponinsertion of loading unit 300 into elongated body 204. As shown in FIG.5B, with loading unit 300 disposed within adapter assembly 200 andlocking link 280 in the locking configuration, lug 303 of loading unit300 is captured in an enclosure 284 defined by extension 282 of lockinglink 280 and distal cap 208 to detachably lock loading unit 300 toadapter assembly 200.

Extension 282 of locking link 280 is also configured for receipt incavity 278 (FIG. 3) of tab 276 of annular member 260 when annular member260 is in the first orientation (i.e., when loading unit 300 is insertedwithin elongated body 204, but prior to rotating loading unit 300). Assuch, when locking link 280 is in the locking configuration (i.e.,distal position) and annular member 260 is in the first orientation,extension 282 is disposed within cavity 278 of tab 276 of annular member260, thereby preventing and/or resisting annular member 260 fromrotating out of the first orientation. Thus, prior to rotating annularmember 260 out of the first orientation, locking link 280 needs to bemoved to the non-locking configuration (i.e., proximal position), whichis accomplished by the proximal advancement of lug 303 of surgicalloading unit 300 into adapter assembly 200. In this way, extension 282of locking link 280 ensures that annular member 260 is maintained in thefirst orientation until loading unit 300 is engaged to adapter assembly200.

In operation, with reference to FIGS. 5A and 5B, a surgical loadingunit, such as, for example, loading unit 300, is inserted into distalend 206 b of elongated body 204 of adapter assembly 200. The insertionof loading unit 300 into adapter assembly 200 causes lug 303 of loadingunit 300 to contact extension 282 of locking link 280, thereby moving orpushing locking link 280 in a proximal direction, as shown in thedirection indicated by arrow “A” in FIG. 5A, to the non-lockingconfiguration, and out of cavity 278 of tab 276 of annular member 260.With extension 282 being outside of cavity 278 of tab 276 of annularmember 260, extension 282 of locking link 280 no longer prevents annularmember 260 from rotating out of the first orientation. As extension 282of locking link 280 is moved out of cavity 278 of tab 276 of annularmember 260 by lug 303 of loading unit 300, lug 303 enters cavity 278 oftab 276 of annular member 260 to replace extension 282, as shown in FIG.5A.

With loading unit 300 in this initial insertion position within adapterassembly 200, loading unit 300 is not yet lockingly engaged with adapterassembly 200 and annular member 260 remains in the first orientation, inwhich electrical contact 272 (FIG. 3) of annular member 260 iselectrically isolated from distal end 224 b (FIG. 2) of lead 224 ofcircuit assembly 220. To complete the mechanical coupling of loadingunit 300 with adapter assembly 200, loading unit 300 is then rotated, ina direction indicated by arrow “B” in FIG. 5A, to drive a rotation ofannular member 260 from the first orientation to the second orientation.As illustrated in FIG. 2, rotation of annular member 260 from the firstorientation to the second orientation positions electrical contact 272of annular member 260 into contact with distal end 224 b of lead 224 ofcircuit assembly 220, to establish an electrical connection betweenannular member 260 and PCB 222 of circuit assembly 220. With thiselectrical connection established, processor 104 of handle assembly 100registers that loading unit 300 is lockingly engaged with adapterassembly 200 and surgical instrument 10 is ready for operation. It iscontemplated that prior to establishing an electrical connection betweenannular member 260 and PCB 222, processor 104 may be configured todisable functioning of surgical instrument 10, and/or provide for anaudible and/or visual indication that loading unit 300 is not connectedto adapter assembly 200.

The rotation of loading unit 300 also moves lug 303 of loading unit 300into an inner groove 208 a defined in distal cap 208 of elongated body206 and out of engagement with extension 282 of locking link 280. Theresilient bias of locking link 280 drives an axial translation oflocking link 280, in a direction indicated by arrow “C” in FIG. 5B, todispose locking link 280 in the locking configuration. With locking link280 in the locking configuration, lug 303 of loading unit 300 iscaptured within enclosure 284 defined by extension 282 of locking link280 and inner groove 208 a of distal cap 208. Loading unit 300 isprevented from moving distally out of enclosure 284 due to an innerledge 208 b of inner groove 208 a, and is prevented from rotating, in adirection indicated by arrow “D” shown in FIG. 5B, due to extension 282of locking link 280. Therefore, loading unit 300 is releasably,lockingly engaged to adapter assembly 200. As such, the electricalconnection between annular member 260 and PCB 222 is establishedconcurrently with loading unit 300 becoming lockingly engaged to adapterassembly 200.

To selectively release loading unit 300 from adapter assembly 200, aclinician translates or pulls locking link 280 in a proximal directionindicated by arrow “A,” such that extension 282 of locking link 280 isno longer blocking lug 303 of loading unit 300 and loading unit 300 canbe rotated. Alternately, a rotation of loading unit 300 in the directionindicated by arrow “D” may cause tab 276 of annular member 260 to ridealong a tapered portion 282 b of extension 282 of locking link 280 todrive locking link 280 in a proximal direction. With locking link 280 inthe non-locking configuration or proximal position, loading unit 300 isrotated, in a direction indicated by arrow “D” in FIG. 5A, to rotateannular member 260 back to the first orientation, thereby concurrentlydisconnecting electrical contact 272 (FIGS. 2 and 3) of annular member260 from distal end 224 b of lead 224. With the electrical connectionbetween electrical contact 272 of annular member 260 and lead 224 ofcircuit assembly 220 disrupted, PCB 222 of circuit assembly 220communicates to processor 104 of handle assembly 100 that loading unit300 is not properly engaged to adapter assembly 200.

To fully disengage loading unit 300 from adapter assembly 200, loadingunit 300 is axially translated, in a distal direction, through distalcap 208, and out of elongated body 204 of adapter assembly 200. It iscontemplated that upon handle assembly 100 detecting that loading unit300 is not lockingly engaged to adapter assembly 200, power may be cutoff from handle assembly 100, an alarm (e.g., audio and/or visualindication) may be issued, or combinations thereof.

Loading unit 300 further includes a memory 307. Memory 307 includes amemory chip (e.g., an EEPROM, EPROM, or any non-transitory storage chip)configured to store one or more parameters relating to surgical loadingunit 300. The parameter may include at least one of a serial number of aloading unit, a type of loading unit, a size of loading unit, a staplesize, information identifying whether loading unit has been fired, alength of a loading unit, maximum number of uses of a loading unit, andcombinations thereof. The memory chip is configured to communicate tohandle assembly 100 a presence of loading unit 300 and one or more ofthe parameters of loading unit 300 described herein, upon engagement ofloading unit 300 with adapter assembly 200.

While an electrical interface between loading unit 300 and handleassembly 100 is shown and described, it is contemplated that uponforming the proper mechanical connection of loading unit 300 to adapterassembly 200, any other form of communication is within the scope of thepresent disclosure, for transmitting any or all of the operatingparameters and/or the life-cycle information from loading unit 300 tohandle assembly 200, such as, for example, wireless communication,including various radio frequency protocols such as near fieldcommunication, radio frequency identification “RFID,” BLUETOOTH®, etc.

It will be understood that various modifications may be made to theembodiments of the presently disclosed adapter assemblies. Therefore,the above description should not be construed as limiting, but merely asexemplifications of embodiments. Those skilled in the art will envisionother modifications within the scope and spirit of the presentdisclosure.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method of assembling a surgicalinstrument, comprising: inserting a surgical loading unit into a distalportion of an elongated body of the surgical instrument; rotating thesurgical loading unit and the elongated body relative to one another,thereby inducing a relative rotation between an annular member that isrotatably supported in the elongated body of the surgical instrument andthe elongated body itself to adjust a rotational orientation of theannular member from a first orientation representative of an unlockedstate between the surgical loading unit and the elongated body, and asecond orientation representative of a locked state between the surgicalloading unit and the elongated body.
 2. The method according to claim 1,further comprising inserting the surgical loading unit into the annularmember, thereby non-rotationally coupling the surgical loading unit withthe annular member.
 3. The method according to claim 1, whereinadjusting the rotational orientation of the annular member to the secondorientation selectively locks the annular member in the secondorientation.
 4. The method according to claim 1, further comprisingmoving an electrical contact that is attached to the annular member froman unconnected state from a circuit assembly to a connected state withthe circuit assembly in response to the annular member changing itsrotational orientation from the first orientation to the secondorientation to thereby complete a circuit.
 5. The method according toclaim 4, wherein the at least one electrical contact is electricallyisolated from the circuit assembly when the annular member is in thefirst orientation, and the at least one electrical contact iselectrically connected to the circuit assembly when the annular memberis in the second orientation.
 6. The method according to claim 5,further comprising transmitting a signal from the circuit assembly inresponse to the rotational orientation of the annular member beingadjusted to the second orientation, the signal representing that thesurgical loading unit is coupled to the elongated body.
 7. The methodaccording to claim 1, further comprising interfacing a surface featureof the annular member with the surgical loading unit.
 8. A method ofassembling a surgical instrument, comprising: inserting a proximal endof a surgical loading unit into a distal end of an elongated body and anannular member that is rotatably supported by the elongated body;rotating the surgical loading unit about a longitudinal axis defined bythe surgical loading unit and relative to the elongated body, therebyrotating the annular member, within the elongated body, from a firstorientation to a second orientation.
 9. The method according to claim 8,further comprising signaling a processor in a handle assembly of thesurgical instrument that the surgical loading unit is coupled to thesurgical instrument in response to rotating the annular member to thesecond orientation.
 10. The method according to claim 8, whereinrotating the surgical loading unit selectively locks the surgicalloading unit to the elongated body.
 11. The method according to claim 8,wherein rotating the annular member from the first orientation to thesecond orientation includes changing an electrical connection between atleast one contact of the annular member and a circuit assembly.
 12. Themethod according to claim 11, further comprising sending a signal fromthe circuit assembly upon rotating the annular member to the secondorientation, whereby a circuit is completed, the signal indicating thatthe surgical loading unit is locked with the elongated body.
 13. Themethod according to claim 11, wherein changing the electrical connectionincludes transitioning from a first electrical connection in which theat least one contact is electrically isolated from the circuit assembly,and a second electrical connection in which the at least one contact iselectrically connected to the circuit assembly.
 14. The method accordingto claim 8, further comprising interfacing a surface feature of theannular member with the surgical loading unit, thereby non-rotationallycoupling the annular member with the surgical loading unit.
 15. A methodof disassembling a surgical instrument, comprising rotating a surgicalloading unit about a longitudinal axis defined by the surgical loadingunit and relative to an elongated body, thereby rotating an annularmember that is rotatably supported in the elongated body: from a secondorientation, in which at least one electrical contact of the annularmember is electrically connected with the circuit assembly, whereby acircuit is completed, to a first orientation, in which the at least oneelectrical contact of the annular member is electrically isolated fromthe circuit assembly.
 16. The method according to claim 15, furthercomprising removing the surgical loading unit from the annular memberand the elongated body after rotating the surgical loading unit.
 17. Themethod according to claim 16, further comprising retracting a lockinglink relative to the surgical loading unit and the annular member tounlock the surgical loading unit from the elongated body, wherein thelocking link is retracted prior to the surgical loading unit beingremoved.